The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC-Ghana) has expressed its resolve to turn down any single digit increment from government as a base pay for the year 2023.

TEWU revealed that it is preparing the grounds for negotiation of a minimum wage and the base pay for 2023. At the last negotiations, it noted that when 4 percent and 7 percent increases were offered for 2021 and 2022 respectively, the spontaneous agitation from the larger workers front, was not an easy task. That notwithstanding, it indicated that union leaders managed to calm tempers.

Contained in a statement signed by the General Secretary of TEWU, Mark Dankyira Korankye, it explained that the agitated workers demanded that their leaders should go back to the negotiating table, and get something better than 4 percent and 7 percent increase offered for 2021 and 2022 respectively. Mr Korankye emphasized that the members “used all sort of unprintable words to describe the leaders of organized labour, accusing them of betrayal”.

“It is the hope of TEWU that at the negotiation for 2023 base pay, government would not insist on a single digit increase, but a meaningful increase that will cushion workers. Now that inflation is hovering above 19%, there is so much damage and pressure brought on the Ghanaian worker and his or her salary. It is in this light that, TEWU leaders say, a single digit upward adjustment of the base pay will not be accepted under any condition presented by government.”
TEWU

TEWU demands better conditions of services

As part of its goodwill message to workers to celebrate the May Day, TEWU disclosed that in collaboration with its members, the government and other social partners, it will focus on four major areas which are critical to enhancing the welfare and living conditions of Ghanaian workers. The areas include pay cost of living allowance (COLA) and tackling of critical ailment conditions of workers.

Commenting on the payment of COLA, TEWU revealed that government must pay workers these allowances and “stop the chorus on COVID-19 challenges”. It expressed that as labour leaders, it’s resolute, in ensuring that the workers’ front is kept busy and labour continues to produce to keep the country running.

“In view of these difficult times, we as workers leaders, earlier in the year, made a proposal to government that with the spate of increase, the authorities should consider giving workers, Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), to at least cushion workers against these prices’ hikes. We have been expecting that government will engage us on it, unfortunately, there has been dead silence from government on this proposal.”
TEWU

TEWU emphasized that fuel prices have gone up multiple times and for that matter, transport fares have increased. Equally, it indicated that prices of goods, especially food and services are “galloping, but it is sad to say that salaries of workers have not gone up, or better still they have remained stagnant. In real sense, salaries have dipped”.

Subsequently, TEWU commended workers particularly Ghanaian workers in the educational and allied sectors, for their efforts in keeping the economy running.

“There is no doubt that on this special day, workers feel on top of their world, as they are acknowledged for their various contributions in socio-economic progress of society.”
TEWU